Craigs List

[QUILT]

Craigs List ~

Does anyone use it?

Have experience with it?

Recommend it?

Any and all views would be appreciated.   

[farvelcargo]

Marci, I first heard of Craig's List over at the Wagglepop boards. People were using it to promote their stores. Craig's List caught on to them and was deleting there items.
I started using Craig's List for my friend the power tool guy. I got a lot of responses but they weren't serious. They would keep emailing me saying they were interested in my item. I had several items listed there and I would have to email back asking which item they were referring to. They would email back asking they same questions but never saying which item. I would refer them to my friends shop and they never called him. So my experience with Craig's List is not a positive one and I, personally wouldn't reccomend it. But there may be some people out there who love it, you never know.

I have to use a new smilie now let's see.............

Sue

[QUILT]

Thank you for the input Sue.  Also LOVE the smiley!!!!

I contacted a seller before on Craigs list and they were very pleasant and I found it to be a good experience.  The deal never went through because I ended up going out of town, however the seller kept me up to date and it all worked out.

[2boysandtoys]

Hey all:

I've never listed anything on it, but did inquire once about a music instrument.  The seller was very fast and responsive and we didn't go thru with it, as my son was just not too 'thrilled' with my find.

I used Craigslist to rent my property recently, and all worked wonderfully.  However, I did hear last night on the news that there is a murder that has been tied to CraigsList - I found an article on it: 

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,305758,00.html

I honestly do not know now how I will/will not use it.  I think it's great to use to market your items - meeting a stranger tho - now seems really scary to me! 

[BooKooGuru]

I have used Craig's list locally to list houses that I have had for sale or rent, and it works pretty well for that.
I recently tried to use it to promote the items I have for sale on my ecrater store, and they removed my items.  Apparently, their service is not free if you try to list your online items or try to list in more than one city.  It was a nice thought, but it didn't work out so well.

Ramona

BookooGuru, Your KISS headquarters and more!
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[QUILT]

Wow! Murder! I just went to the link you posted and read what it had to say.  Apparently the article was dated yesterday.  Very sad.

I don't think I would make arrangements to meet with anyone, however I would be interested in knowing if it would work with my auctions.  If someone contacts me at my email address I could forward them or else have links to my site on there.  Just a thought

[2boysandtoys]

There were discussions a long while ago on PSU about how to best use it to promote your items.  It's very possible that they have more structure/rules now that prohibit 'direct marketing' of your store or your items.  I've never done that, but thought about it.

Yes...that story is so sad!  Apparently, she (the gal who lost her life) had responded to other posts for the same services, and had success in the past.  It's such a strange world we live in - but I agree!  I don't think I'd 'set up a private meeting' with someone.  I'd take some testosterone from my home with me for sure....

[farvelcargo]

If you put a link to your store in the listing it is in "violation" of the rules. So eventually someone will report it and it will be deleted.
Yeah, I have a lot of stuff in my garage I could sell that is too much of a pain to ship, but I won't put them on Craigs List or even on eBay as a pick up only because of the crazy world we live in!

Sue

[toyfads]

I have used Craigs list to sell some toys locally.  When a potential buyer responds via e-mail I then sent them a link to my store.  The big problem I have with it is that too many people say they are going to show up and then never do or when they get here they try to barter with the price.  It get be a pain in the tush!  I have made a few good connections though, so if you don't mind dealing with a few irritations, you can make it work.  I just dont have time to use it right now.  When it gets closer to Christmas I may put up whatever I dont think will sell in my store in time to get under the tree.

[2boysandtoys]

We upgraded computer monitors here, so I had 3 large monitors that are currently listed there.  I've had one call only - and I priced them super low.....I suppose timing also matters  eh?   

[chiquita]

My son sold a few video games and his PS2, but the hubby had to transport him and he said he felt like a craigslist dealer meeting people in the Target parking lot. 
 

We have however gotten really good deals on landscaping stuff and I got new tile for the hallway. I haven't tried to sell any of my store items yet.

It's fun to browse on there though
 

[2boysandtoys]

As an early Christmas gift, I upgraded our monitors around here!  Needless to say, that left us with 3 monitors that we needed to dispose of, sell or 'redeploy'.

I did post 3 ads on CL, and have had some interest!  I am selling one today - (I hope), so it's all good.

I believe that CL can serve a need for items that are just too large to ship or that you want to 'move out' quickly.

Here's the funny part - posted on the KC CL, and the interested buyer lives about 5-6 blocks from me....how funny is that?  Her children go to the elementary school that I can see from my back door!  Talk about a small world!!

 

[Purse Stuff ~ Paula]

Before we moved to Arizona I needed to do a serious purging in our house, basement and garage.  I listed and SOLD everything I listed on Craigs List Mpls..high-end furniture, bikes & sporting goods, antiques, pictures, ladders, lawnmowers - you name it and I sold it on Craigs List Mpls.

Based on conversations with people from other parts of the country, I think Craigs List Mpls is pretty active and successful (as compared to some other areas of the country)

I never had any problems with people not showing up.
I never had any problems with requiring cash payments.
I never feld uncomfortable with people that came to the house to purchase items.
I never had any problems listing on Craigs list.  It is user friendly, even for a newbie like me.

I have purchased items from Craigs list and those transactions went well. 

I do not sell my business products on Craigs List.  I don't think buying a checkbook cover on Craigs List is something that would interest most people.  Maybe someday I'll give my product line a try on Craigs List.  It might work...but I have my doubts.

[2boysandtoys]

Paula:

The good news if you opt. to try - no cost involved, beyond your time!  I think ours here in KC does 'ok' - I honestly haven't done too much on it but plan to get more creative in 2008.  I've got a variety of items here that just won't do well online; too big to ship or too small of value to make it worth my time!

Great job with your down-sizing before your move!  Sounds like it worked very well for you - gives me hope for my upcoming efforts!!

 

[Purse Stuff ~ Paula]

Hi Erin,
You are right about the no cost to list.  I suppose I could always list a small wallet or checkbook and price it so I could ship it FREE to the buyer, i.e., price it accordingly.

Craigs List provides you with the ability to put up LOTS of pictures (free).  I took advantage of every pic space they provided and in some cases put up extra pics link to PhotoBucket.  I believe the pics really helped our listings sell quickly.  We did not ship anything. Rather the buyer came to our home, looked, purchased, and they hauled away.

We had our prices low.  We had our home on the market for 10 months. Then an offer was made and we had THREE WEEKS to get out.  We had so many showings, etc. I didn't think it would ever sell.  But when it did, we had to get rid of stuff fast.  Can't get rid of furniture until the home sells.  We sold our stuff rather than have Atlas Van Lines store it for 6 months, then haul it to Arizona.  Our furniture was all Oak and I understand that would not have held up well here in Arizona.  I understand that antiques from MN do not do well in AZ at all !!  They fall apart within a very short time.  Something about the change in humidity levels, etc.

My friend, who makes the same products as I do, is in process of putting up a little website for us.  I could always list on Craigs List and then tell any inquiries there is more to choose from in the website.

Craigs List played a big part in our move and I can't imagine what we would have done without Craigs List.

Best of Luck to you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!